System and Method For Enabling Unattended Package Delivery to Multi-Dwelling Properties

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, a method is provided including receiving, at a server computer, a communication that indicates controllability of an access control device by a client application associated with an e-commerce service. The access control device associated with a property and configured to selectively allow access to the property relative to interaction with the client application. The method further includes determining that the property is constituted by dwellings beyond the access control device and identifying, based on a reconciliation of addresses of the dwellings with information of user accounts of an e-commerce service, at least one of the dwellings associated with the e-commerce service. The method further includes causing relative to the reconciliation an update to at least one of the user accounts associated with the at least one of the dwellings, the update opting-in the at least one of the user accounts to a feature of the e-commerce service.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to package delivery from ane-commerce service and, more specifically, relates to package deliveryat multi-dwelling locations.

BACKGROUND

E-commerce services have increasingly become a way for consumers topurchase items. E-commerce services often include a delivery featurewhereby a delivery agent (person, robot, or drone, for example) deliversa package containing an item to the consumer's home.

One issue is that online shoppers are not always home at the time adelivery agent attempts to deliver the package to the consumer's home.The delivery agent may leave the package at the consumer's home when theconsumer is not there, for example, by placing the package on theconsumer's porch or near the front door. This leaves the package in anunsecure location, where a passerby may steal the package.

Various approaches to addressing unattended delivery include the use ofpackage delivery lock boxes or allowing a delivery agent one-time accessto enter a user's home or garage to place the package inside.

An issue exists, however, for multi-dwelling properties such asapartments, business parks, office buildings, condominiums, or gatedcommunities that include a gate, door, or barrier common to alloccupants that the occupants pass through to access their dwellings. Theterm dwelling is used herein to refer to personal dwellings such asapartments, condominiums, houses as well as professional dwellings suchas offices. These gates, doors, or barriers often require a code, key,or key card to enter. A delivery agent may be unable to pass beyond thecommon barrier of a multi-dwelling property to make deliveries to theindividual dwellings. The delivery agent may simply leave the packageoutside the gate, door, or barrier—this leaves the package in anunsecure location subject to theft and subject to being damaged by theelements such as rain, snow, sun, and extreme heat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a delivery agent at a multi-dwellingproperty with packages to deliver to dwellings of the property;

FIG. 2 is an example schematic view of the delivery agent of FIG. 1unlocking an access control device of the multi-dwelling property;

FIG. 3 is an example block diagram of the access control device of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is constituted by FIGS. 4A and 4B of which FIG. 4A is an exampleblock diagram of a control device used by the delivery agent in FIG. 2to unlock the access control device, and FIG. 4B is an example blockdiagram of a server computer the control device of FIG. 2 communicateswith via a network;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method of updating user accounts ofan e-commerce service wherein the user accounts are each associated witha dwelling of a multi-dwelling property;

FIG. 6 is an example schematic view of a server computer receivinginformation from various sources over a network to assemble a set ofdwellings associated with a multi-dwelling property;

FIG. 7 is an example schematic view of a server computer comparing theassembled set of dwellings of FIG. 6 with a database of user accounts todetermine dwellings associated with e-commerce service accounts;

FIG. 8 depicts an example method of the server computer of FIG. 7comparing the set of dwellings with the database of user accounts;

FIG. 9 is an example block diagram of a user device that may be used toopt-in to a feature of an e-commerce service; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example method of the user device of FIG.9 opting into a feature of an e-commerce service.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A multi-dwelling property, such as an apartment, condominium, gatedcommunity, office building, or business park, may install an accesscontrol device that controls access to the property via an associatedmovable barrier such as a main door, barrier, or gate as some examples.The access control device communicates with a server over a network. Adelivery agent has a control device that communicates with the accesscontrol device directly or over a network to receive temporary access tothe multi-dwelling property for the purpose of delivering a package orpackages.

In some situations, occupants of a multiple dwelling property are notaware that a delivery agent-controllable access control device has beeninstalled. The occupants therefore do not grant permission for deliveryagents associated with an e-commerce service to deliver the occupants'packages beyond the movable barrier, which complicates delivery of thepackages to the dwellings of the occupants.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided thatincludes a server computer receiving a communication that indicates anaccess control device may be controlled by a client application. Theclient application may be associated with an e-commerce service. Theterm e-commerce service as used herein refers to one or more entitiesthat facilitate online purchasing of items. Examples of e-commerceservices include e-commerce marketplaces, online auction sites,consumer-to-consumer, and business-to-consumer. E-commerce services mayhave their own delivery agents or may partner with a delivery service sothat the delivery service's delivery agents deliver items. The clientapplication may be an application on a user device, for example, asmartphone application. The client application may also be a web pageaccessed via a browser of a user device, for example, a website of thee-commerce service access on a personal computer. The access controldevice may be associated with a property and configured to selectivelyallow access to the property relative to interaction with the clientapplication. The method includes a determination that the propertyassociated with the access control device is constituted by dwellingsbeyond the access control device, and that at least one of the dwellingsis associated with an e-commerce service. This identification of the atleast one dwelling may be based on a reconciliation of addresses of theat least one dwelling with information of user accounts associated withthe e-commerce service. The method includes causing, relative to thereconciliation, an update to at least one of the user accountsassociated with the at least one of the dwellings. This update mayopt-in at the least one user account to a feature of the e-commerceservice, such as allowing delivery agents to have temporary control ofthe movable barrier of the property. The update may automatically opt-inthe at least one user account to the feature of the e-commerce service,or may request, prompt or suggest that the user account opt-in to thefeature.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a server computer mayprocess property information from a data source to identify a propertyconstituted by dwellings. The dwellings may be configured in ahierarchy. The server computer may identify an access control deviceconfigured to selectively allow access to the property. The servercomputer may determine a number of the dwellings associated with ane-commerce service, based on reconciliation of addresses of thedwellings with information of user accounts associated with thee-commerce service. When the quantity of dwellings associated with ane-commerce service is greater than a predetermined threshold, the servercomputer may output a communication that permits controllability of theaccess control device by a client application relative to interactionwith the client application. Furthermore, in yet another aspect of thepresent disclosure, a server computer may process property informationfrom a data source to identify a property constituted by dwellingsbeyond an access control device. The dwellings may be configured in ahierarchy, with the access control device at a top of the hierarchy toselectively allow access to the property. The server computer maydetermine, based on reconciliation between addresses of the dwellingsand information of user accounts, a subset of the dwellings associatedwith an e-commerce service. When a count or quantity of dwellings, whichconstitute the subset, is determined to be greater than a predeterminedthreshold, the server computer may output a communication that promptsan update or augmentation of the access control device. The update oraugmentation may cause controllability of the access control device by aclient application.

Turning now to the Figures, as shown in FIG. 1, a delivery agent 100,such as a person, drone, or robot, is delivering a package 102 to amulti-dwelling property 110. The multi-dwelling property 110 has amovable barrier 120 that limits access to the dwellings of themulti-dwelling property 110.

Regarding FIG. 2, the multi-dwelling property 110 includes an accesscontrol device 300 that permits access beyond the barrier 120 to begranted over a network 202 that includes, for example, a local Wi-Finetwork and the internet. The access control device 300 is shown in FIG.3. The access control device 300 may include, for example, an electricstrike plate, a smart lock with a deadbolt, a gate operator, or atelephone entry system. The access control device 300 comprises a memory302, communication circuitry 304, a processor 306, and an actuator 308.

The memory 302 may include one or more of ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM,Flash, DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, F-RAM and MRAM as examples. The memory 302 maybe configured to store computer-readable instructions and informationpertaining to whether certain users, codes, and/or devices areauthorized to gain access to the multi-dwelling property 100 via theaccess control device 300.

The communication circuitry 304 of the access control device 300 isconfigured to communicate over the network 202 with a remote computer,such as a server computer 204. The network 202 includes one or morenetworks, such as a cellular phone (3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G) network, a longrange or wide-area wireless network such as WiMax, and the internet assome examples. Alternatively or additionally, the communicationcircuitry 304 may communicate directly with a control device 400 of thedelivery associate 100. The communication circuitry 304 may includecircuitry to communicate over a wired or wireless connection. Thewireless connection may include short or long range connections such aswireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), cellular, radio frequency (RF), infrared(IR), Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, Z-wave andnear field communication (NFC) as examples.

The processor 306 is configured to communicate with the memory 302, thecommunication circuitry 304, and the actuator 308. The processor 306 maycommunicate with one or more server computers 204 over the network 202.The processor 306 may operate the actuator 308 in response to a commandreceived through the communication circuitry 304. For example, thedelivery agent 100 may include or use the control device 400 thatcommunicates a request to enter the multi-dwelling property 110 to theserver computer 204. If the communication includes authorizedidentifying information, the server computer 204 sends an open commandto the access control device 300. In another example, the control device400 of the delivery agent 100 may communicate a code or token to theaccess control device 300. The access control device 300 may receive acommunication from the server 204 indicating the code or token to expectfrom the control device 400, along with a command to open if theexpected code or token is received. The access control device 300 maythen open when the processor 306 of the access control device 300determines that the code or token received from the control device 400is the expected code or token.

The access control device 300 may be configured to unlock or open themovable barrier 120 in response to receiving a communication authorizingaccess. For example, the processor 306 of the access control device 300may send a command to the actuator 308 to operate. The actuator 308 mayinclude a motor configured to unlock or open a door or gate. As anexample, the motor may be configured to move a deadbolt between lockedand unlocked positions. As another example, the actuator 308 may beconfigured to release a latch of a door or gate to unlock the door orgate. In another example, the actuator 308 is configured to move a door,gate, or barrier arm to an open position to allow entry.

The access control device 300 may be configured to communicate with aremote computer over a network. In one example, the remote computer isthe server computer 204. The server computer 204 may be a servercomputer associated with the e-commerce service and/or a server deviceassociated with the access control device 300 manufacturer. The accesscontrol device 300 may be configured to operate the actuator 308 inresponse to a communication from the server computer 204 to allow accessto the multi-dwelling property 110. The communication from the servercomputer 204 may be initiated by a communication from a clientapplication of a control device 400 that contains authorizedinformation, such as an ID, passcode, and/or location of the controldevice 400. Additionally or alternatively, the client application may beconfigured to communicate directly with the access control device 300such that the communication sent from the control device 400 is receiveddirectly by the access control device 300.

The access control device 300 may include a user interface such as akeyboard, keypad, and/or microphone. The access control device 300 maybe configured to allow access in response to the entry of a correctpassword, passcode, credentials, PIN code, and/or voice command as someexamples.

The control device 400 may be, for example, a handheld package scanner,tablet computer, or smartphone. The control device 400, as shown in FIG.4A, comprises a memory 402, communication circuitry 404, a processor406, a package sensor 408, a user interface 410, and global navigationsatellite system (GNSS) circuitry 412, such as a GPS chipset. The memory402 may include one or more memory devices that store programs definedby computer-readable instructions, and information for operating thecontrol device 400. The communication circuitry 404 enables the controldevice 400 to communicate via wireless protocols, for example, wirelessfidelity (Wi-Fi), cellular, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR),Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee and near fieldcommunication (NFC). The control device 400 also has a user interface410 that allows for receipt, from a user, of an input e.g. a command, orthat allows for indication, to the user, of an output. The userinterface 410 may include as examples, a touchscreen, virtual orphysical buttons, a microphone, a speaker, a hologram, an augmentedreality display, and/or lights. The user interface 410 may also indicateor display information to the user. The control device 400 may alsoinclude a sensor such as a package sensor 408. The package sensor 408may be, for example, a bar code scanner or a camera for reading anindicium of the package being delivered, such as a barcode.

The control device 400 may communicate a request for access beyond thebarrier 120 to the server computer 204 over the network 202. The requestsent from the control device 400 may include additional information toverify that the request for access is valid and should be granted.Information sent to verify the validity of the request may include proofthat the delivery agent 100 is making a delivery to a dwelling beyondthe access control device 300. This verification information may includean identification code of the delivery agent 100, an identification codeof the control device 400, the location of the control device 400, andevidence the delivery agent 100 is in possession of a package to bedelivered to a dwelling beyond the barrier controlled by the accesscontrol device 300. The location of the control device 400 may includecoordinates of the control device 400 which may be determined using GPSor multilateration (e.g. triangulation) of radio or cellular signals.Additionally or alternatively, the location of the control device 400may be detected by the access control device 300 or server computer 204determining that the control device 400 has connected to or detects aWi-Fi network of the multi-dwelling property. Evidence that the deliveryagent 100 is in possession of a package may include a photo of thepackage or a label of the package captured by a camera of the controldevice 400. Alternatively, the delivery agent 100 may use the packagesensor 408 to scan a bar code of the package to show possession of apackage for delivery. The photo or scan may include the time the photowas taken or the package scanned. The server computer 204 makes adetermination whether the requester, such as the delivery agent 100, hasauthorization to pass beyond the barrier 120. The remote server 204 mayapprove the request for entry and send a code or token to the controldevice 400 for the control device 400 to use to interact with or controlthe access control device 300. Alternatively or additionally, the remoteserver 204 may send a communication to the access control device 300,authorizing the access control device 300 to open the barrier 120 inresponse to the control device 400 presenting the code or token to theaccess control device 300. This may be, as examples, the delivery agent100 entering via the user interface of the access control device 300 avalid password, passcode, credential, PIN code, or a voice command. Inanother example, the remote server 204 sends a message to the accesscontrol device 300 to actuate or open. Upon determining the message isvalid, the access control device 300 may then temporarily allow accessbeyond the barrier 120 for a specified period of time, e.g., tenminutes. In another example, the access control device 300 is configuredto only allow access in response to receive the code or token from thecontrol device 400 for a specified number of instances, e.g., one time.

The barrier 120 may include many different types of barriers thatobstruct access to an area, such as a door, gate, and/or barrier arm asexamples. In one example, the barrier 120 includes a door and the accesscontrol device 300 temporarily unlocks the door so the delivery agent100 may open the door and pass through. In another example, the accesscontrol device 300 opens the door for the delivery agent 100. In yetanother example, the barrier 120 includes a gate and the access controldevice 300 opens the gate for the requester. The gate may be a gate of agated community allowing a delivery agent to drive past the gate. Inanother example, the gate is an entrance to an apartment building orcondominium. In the example of delivering packages, the determination ofwhether the delivery agent is authorized to pass beyond a barrier 120 bythe access control device 300 may include determining whether thedelivery agent 100 is scheduled to deliver a package to an addresswithin the multi-dwelling property 110 on a particular day within a timewindow.

Once this network connected access control device 300 has been installedor otherwise activated, occupants of the multi-dwelling property 110 maychange their delivery preference settings in their user accounts for oneor more e-commerce services, to grant the delivery agent 100 permissionto pass beyond the barrier 120 to deliver packages containing itemsordered via the e-commerce service in a more secure area within themulti-dwelling property 110. The area within the multi-dwelling property110 is relatively safer for unattended delivery because the area isbeyond the barrier 120. The area beyond the barrier 120 may include acommon entryway or area of a building, an area outside of a door of anapartment or condominium units, or a front porch of a home within agated community.

In some situations, the entity in charge of managing the common areas ofmulti-dwelling property 110, such as a building management company or ahomeowners' association, may not notify the occupants of the multipledwelling property 110 that the multi-dwelling property 110 has thenetwork connected access control device 300. Due to this lack ofknowledge, the occupants do not grant permission for delivery agents ofan e-commerce service to operate the access control device 300 todeliver packages to a more secure location, i.e., beyond the barrier120. Moreover, occupants of the multi-dwelling unit 110 may not evenknow they can authorize delivery agents 100 to operate the accesscontrol device 300 or may find it difficult or burdensome to permitdelivery agents 100 access on their own.

Regarding FIG. 4B, the server computer 204 includes a memory 450,communication circuitry 452, and a processor 454. The memory 450 isconfigured to store information relating to user accounts such as a nameor names associated with an account, contact information, user emailaddress, billing information, purchase history, and/or deliveryaddresses. The memory 450 may be more than a single physical unit ofmemory. For example, user information may be stored on more than oneserver computer 402.

The communication circuitry 452 comprises hardware to communicate withother devices. The communication circuitry 452 may be configured tocommunicate via a wired connection such as a T1 or T3 connection, anethernet link, fiberoptic cables, and/or other approaches. Thecommunication circuitry 452 may be configured to communicate over one ormore networks, such as the internet. The communication circuitry 452 mayinclude components to allow the communication circuitry to communicatewirelessly, for example, using wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), cellular,radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth LowEnergy (BLE), Zigbee and near field communication (NFC). In someembodiments, the communication circuitry 452 is configured tocommunicate via both wired and wireless connections.

The processor 454 is configured to communicate with the memory 450 andthe communication circuitry 452. In one embodiment, the processor 454,memory 450, and communication circuitry 452 are contained in a singledevice. In other embodiments, the processor 454, memory 450, andcommunication circuitry 452 are in different physical locations, such asin a plurality of server computers, but are operably connected tofunction as a system.

The processor 454 is configured to carry out a variety of operations,including method 500 shown in FIG. 5. Method 500 is an example methodfor updating user account settings to grant an authorized delivery agent100 control of a movable barrier of a property. The method 500 may becarried out by one or more computers. In one example, the computers areremote server computers. The server computers may be server computersassociated with an e-commerce platform the occupants of themulti-dwelling property 110 use to purchase items. In another example,at least one of the server computers is operated by the e-commerceservice and at least one server is operated by the manufacturer of theaccess control device 300.

The method 500 includes receiving 502 a communication indicatingcontrollability of an access control device 300 by a client applicationassociated with an e-commerce service. The access control device 300 maybe associated with a property and configured to selectively allow accessto the property relative to interaction with the client application ofthe e-commerce service. The communication received may indicate that theproperty has been installed and/or configured with an access controldevice 300 (or that the same has been active) to allow a clientapplication on a control device 400 to control the movable barrier 120of the property. The communication may indicate that the property is ata particular location (e.g., street address, latitude/longitude, or GPScoordinates) and includes an access control device 300.

The communication may be received 502 by a server computer 204, such asone or more server computers of the e-commerce service. In one example,the communication may be received at the server computer 204 from anaccess control device 300 upon installation and/or activation of theaccess control device 300. In another example, the communication may begenerated by a user device of an installer of the access control device300. Still further, the communication may be sent by a computersearching a database of properties having access control devices 300. Inanother example, when a property has been configured with an accesscontrol device 300, the location (e.g. street address) of the propertyis entered into an approved list (stored in a list server) or datastructure of properties configured to allow delivery agents 100 to gainentry via an access control device 300. The server computer 204 mayautomatically receive a message from the list server indicating that theproperty has been configured and/or activated to selectively allowclient applications to control the movable barrier 120 of the property,as described above.

Next, the server computer 204 determines 504 whether the property isconstituted by dwellings beyond the access control device 300. Thisoperation may include determining that the property is a multi-dwellingproperty 110 and identifying a set of dwellings associated with theproperty. The remote server 204 may receive information from one or moredata sources about the property and process that information which wasreceived to determine whether the property is a multi-dwelling property110. The determination of whether the property is a multi-dwellingproperty 110 may include receiving information indicating the propertyis a multi-dwelling property 110. In one example, by receiving 502 acommunication that indicates controllability of a movable barrier of aparticular make or model of access control device 300, it is impliedthat the property is a multi-dwelling property 110 because the accesscontrol device 300 of that make or model is only installed with respectto multi-dwelling properties. In another example, the device sending thecommunication in step 502 receives confirmation from a human, e.g., aninstaller or a property manager, that the property is a multi-dwellingproperty 110 and communicates the confirmation to the server computer204.

Alternatively or additionally, the server computer 204 may determine 504whether a property is a multi-dwelling property 110 by processingproperty information from data sources to determine a hierarchy of thedwellings within the property. The hierarchy of the building may be adetermination of how the multi-dwelling property 110 is organized. Forexample, the server computer 204 may determine that the multi-dwellingproperty 110 is an apartment building or condominium because the unitsshare a common street address (e.g., 123 Main Street), but each unitfurther has a unit number (e.g., Apt 101, 102, 103 . . . ). As anotherexample, the server computer 204 may determine that the multi-dwellingproperty 110 is a gated community because property records indicate thatthere is a security checkpoint for a subdivision of houses. The servercomputer 204 may search and analyze data and information from a varietyof sources to determine whether the property is a multi-dwellingproperty 110 and/or to determine the hierarchy of the multi-dwellingproperty 110. For example, the server computer 204 may analyze streetownership and/or maintenance data or records that indicate whether astreet is publicly or privately owned and maintained. For example,information indicating a subdivision is a privately owned or maintainedstreet may factor into a determination of whether the subdivision is agated community. The server computer 204 may analyze real estate listingdata to use in determining the hierarchy of a building or set ofproperties, such as that provided by multiple listing services (MLS)and/or an internet-based real estate listing service. For example, aproperty and an adjacent property that both pay association fees may bedetermined to be part of the same homeowner's association. As anotherexample, a real estate listing may also indicate whether the property ispart of a gated community. The server computer 204 may analyze zoningrecords, permits, and/or other construction data that may indicate orfactor into a determination that a set of properties are associated witha gated community. In one approach. the server computer 204 may reviewnews stories or advertisements about a property or gated community. Asexamples, the server computer may review a news story that a gatedcommunity is being built at a particular location or review anadvertisement for the sale or rent of property as being part of a gatedcommunity. As yet another example, the server computer 204 may processmap or GIS data to identify barriers such as gates or guard shacks. Theserver computer 204 may use one or more of the information sourcesdiscussed above to make a determination of whether the property ismulti-dwelling property 110 and to determine the hierarchy of theproperty.

Regarding FIG. 6, an example is provided of determining the dwellingsassociated with a multi-dwelling property 110. Specifically, a datastructure or database 602 of the dwellings associated with eachmulti-dwelling property 110 may be assembled by a server computer 600.The database 602 may be assembled by first compiling information, suchas the street address, of the multi-dwelling properties 110. The server600 then uses one or more sources to determine a set of dwellingsassociated with the multi-dwelling property 110. For example, the set ofdwellings may be assembled by reviewing a list of dwellings associatedwith a particular street address, a property index number, or asubdivision map. The server 600 may also use other sources of propertyinformation for the multi-dwelling property 110 and/or the dwellingsthemselves including, as examples, a property records (e.g., deed/titleinformation server) database 606, map database 608, a GIS (geographicinformation system) database 610, a tax records database 612 (e.g.,database or server of an assessor's office), and a real estateinformation aggregator database 614 (e.g., multiple listing service(MLS), Zillow, etc.). The server 600 uses one or more of sources ofproperty information and determines which dwellings are associated withthe multi-dwelling property 110 and assembles them into a set of units.

Regarding FIGS. 5 and 7, in one embodiment, a server computer 700identifies 506 at least one of the dwellings, such as a subset of thedwelling, of the multi-dwelling property 110 as being associated with ane-commerce service. This identification 506 may be based on areconciliation of addresses of the dwellings of the multi-dwellingproperty 110 with the information of user accounts associated with thee-commerce service, which may be stored in a user account data structureor database 702, accessible by or otherwise associated with a server 703of an e-commerce service. As shown in FIG. 7, this reconciliation may bedone by the server computer 700 comparing the information of thedwellings associated with the multi-dwelling property 110 stored in thedatabase 602 of the server computer 600 with the information of the useraccount database 702. For example, the server computer 700 may identifya dwelling of a multi-dwelling property 110 as being associated with ane-commerce service if the mailing address 705 in the set 707 of unitsassociated with the multi-dwelling property 110 matches a deliveryaddress 709 of a user account stored in the e-commerce server 703. Asanother example, the mailing address 705 of the dwelling may be comparedto the billing/ship-to addresses and/or contact information in the useraccount database 702.

Regarding FIG. 8, the identification 506 may also include the servercomputer 700 performing a coarse filtering 802 or scanning the useraccount database 702 for accounts listing addresses with the same cityas the multi-dwelling property 110, then a fine filtering 804 orscanning for user accounts including the street address (or addresses)of the multi-dwelling property 110. The server computer 700 may thencompare 806 whether an address, such as a delivery address including aunit number, associated with the user account corresponds to one of thedwellings associated with the multi-dwelling property 110. If the useraccount address corresponds to an address of the dwellings associatedwith the multi-dwelling property 110, then the server 700 associates thedwelling of the multi-dwelling property 110 with the user account.

Once the user accounts of the subset of dwellings of the multi-dwellingproperty 110 have been determined, the server computer 700 may cause 508an update to the identified user accounts associated with the dwellingsof the multi-dwelling property 110 to opt-in the identified useraccounts to a feature of the e-commerce service. This feature may beunattended delivery of items ordered from the e-commerce service whereina delivery agent 100 can open the barrier 120 to deliver a packageinside of the multi-dwelling property 110. The unattended delivery maybe facilitated by the delivery agent 100 using a client application,such as web-based or application-based, on the control device 400 tointeract with the access control device 300 to gain entry beyond themovable barrier 120 of the multi-dwelling property 110. In anotherexample, the unattended delivery may be facilitated by the deliveryagent 100 interfacing with the access control device 300 such as byentering a password, PIN code, or using a voice command. The password,PIN code, or voice command used to gain access beyond the movablebarrier 120 may be provided to the delivery agent 100 on the controldevice 400 from the server.

The operation of causing 508 an update may optionally include the servercomputer 700 notifying 510 the identified user accounts associated withthe multi-dwelling property 110 that the multi-dwelling property 110 hasbeen configured to allow access to delivery agents 100 via the accesscontrol device 300. The notification may alert users that their accounthas been updated. In one embodiment, the notification may be an emailsent to the email address associated with the user account. In anotherembodiment, the notification is a notification presented to the user byway of the e-commerce service's application on the user's device, e.g. atablet computer or smartphone. The user may be notified in more than oneapproach, for example, by email and by notification to the user throughan e-commerce application. The user may also be notified by receiving aphone call or a letter in the mail. The notification may alert the userthat the user's user account has been configured to permit deliveryagents 100 to make deliveries beyond the barrier 120 of a multi-dwellingproperty 110. In an example of an apartment building, the notificationmay notify the user that the building now includes the access controldevice 300 and that the delivery agents 100 may open the locked entrydoor of the apartment building to place the user's packages inside thebuilding. As another example, the notification may notify a user thatthe user's user account has been automatically opted-in to the deliveryfeature, so that packages will automatically be delivered beyond themovable barrier 120 of the multi-dwelling property 110.

A user may have to opt-in before the user's account is updated or theuser's account may be updated automatically. For example, the operationof causing 508 the update may entail the server computer 700 receiving512 input from a user indicating the user would like to opt-in to thefeature of the e-commerce service before updating the user's useraccount. The notification provided in the operation of notifying 510 maygive the users the option of pressing a virtual button or using voicecontrol to grant access to delivery agents to deliver packages beyond abarrier of their multi-dwelling property 110. This could be, as anexample, a notification on a smartphone that users can open which leadsto a web page displaying the question, “Would you like to grant XYZDelivery Service access to you building?” The web page may displayvirtual buttons by which the user may select “Yes” or “No”. In anotherexample the notification includes a hyperlink to a website of thee-commerce service where the user may update delivery preferencesettings, which includes the option to allow delivery agents 100 toenter the multi-dwelling property 110 to delivery packages. Once theserver computer 700 receives 512 input from a user indicating the userwould like to update the user's user account to opt-in to the feature,the server computer 700 updates the user account.

In another approach, the server computer 700 may identify that multipleuser accounts are associated with a multi-dwelling property 110, thendetermine whether the multi-dwelling property 110 has an access controldevice 300. For example, the server computer 700 may review the useraccount database 702 and determine which user accounts are associatedwith a particular street address. The server computer 700 may thendetermine whether the building at the particular street address is amulti-dwelling property 110. The operation of determining whether abuilding at an address is a multi-dwelling property 110 may involve anoperation similar to the determining 504 operation discussed above,including searching or compiling information from a variety of propertydata sources including, as examples, a map database 608, tax recordsdatabase 612, real estate information aggregator database 614, and/orproperty records database 606. In another example, the server computer700 determines that the identified user accounts share the same streetaddress, but further include additional unit numbers. For example, theserver computer 700 determines that multiple user accounts areassociated with 123 Main Street, but the user accounts have separateunit numbers. The server computer 700 may then determine that 123 MainStreet is a multi-dwelling property 110. The server computer 700 maydetermine whether the multiple dwelling properties 110 identifiedinclude an access control device 300. Upon determining that amulti-dwelling property 110 has been configured with the access controldevice 300, the server computer 700 may then notify 510 the identifieduser accounts and receive 512 authorization from users.

In another approach, the server computer 700 may process propertyinformation from a data source, such as property records 606, toidentify a property that includes multiple dwellings beyond a commonmovable barrier 120. The server computer 700 may determine whether anyof the dwellings associated with the multi-dwelling property 110 areassociated with a specific e-commerce service. This may includereconciling or comparing the addresses of the dwellings of themulti-dwelling property 110 with information about user accounts. Once asubset of dwellings in a multi-dwelling property 110 associated with ane-commerce service has been determined, the server computer 700 mayoutput a communication that updates the user accounts associated withthe subset of dwellings of the multi-dwelling property 110 upon adetermination that the subset of dwellings within the multi-dwellingproperty 110 associated with user accounts of an e-commerce service isgreater than a threshold. For example, the predetermined threshold maybe more than a certain percentage of dwellings within a multi-dwellingproperty 110 are associated with the e-commerce service. The percentagemay be, as an example, more than 25% or more than 50% of the dwellingsare associated with user accounts of the e-commerce service.

Regarding FIG. 9, an example user device 900 is shown and hereafterdescribed for granting permission to delivery agents 100 to access amulti-dwelling property 110. The user device 900 includes a memory 902,communication circuitry 904, a processor 906, and a user interface 908.The memory 902 may include instructions to facilitate authorization of adelivery agent 100 to access the multi-dwelling property 110. The userdevice 900 includes communication circuitry 904 that allows the userdevice 900 to communicate over a network, such as a cellular network, alocal area network, and/or the internet. The communication circuitry 904may communicate via wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), cellular, radio frequency(RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbeeor near field communication (NFC) connections as some examples. The userdevice 900 includes the processor 906 which is in communication with thememory 902 and the communication circuitry 904. The processor 906 isconfigured to use the communication circuitry 904 to communicate over anetwork with one or more server computers and/or the access controldevice 300. In some embodiments, the user device 900 may alsocommunicate with the control device 400 of the delivery agent 100. Theprocessor 906 is configured to provide information to and receive inputfrom a user via the user interface 908. The user interface 908 of theuser device 900 may include a touchscreen, a speaker, a microphone,augmented reality display, virtual or physical buttons, and/or voicecontrol as examples.

In some embodiments, the user device 900 includes a smartphone. In oneexample, the program stored in memory is an application, where theapplication has a feature to facilitate the grant of access to themulti-dwelling property 110 to a delivery agent 100. The user device 900may also be configured to access to the internet, and in particular, awebsite associated with an e-commerce service. In another embodiment,the user device 900 includes a personal computer, tablet, computer,smart watch, or a smart wearable device.

The processor 906 of the user device 900 may be configured to carry outcomputer-readable instructions to facilitate the delivery agent 100opening the movable barrier 120 to deliver a package. These instructionsmay be carried out in accordance with example method 1000 shown in FIG.10. Method 1000 begins with the user device 900 receiving 1002 an inputfrom a user placing an order with an e-commerce service for delivery ofan item to a multi-dwelling property 110. The user input may include theuser touching an area of a touchscreen of the user device user interface908 associated with placing an order. In another example, the user mayuse a mouse of the user device user interface 908 to click on an icon toplace an order. In yet another example, a user speaks a command toconfirm that they would like to place an order. The user device 900 thentransmits 1004 the order to a remote computer, such as a servercomputer. The user device 900 then receives 1006 a message from theserver computer indicating that the multi-dwelling property 110 to whichthe user has requested delivery has been configured to allow deliveryagents to gain access beyond a movable barrier of the multi-dwellingproperty, and that the user's account has been (or may be) updated. Theuser device 900 notifies 1008 the user that the multi-dwelling property110 where the ordered items will be delivered has been configured toallow the user to grant the delivery agent 100 access to themulti-dwelling property 110. This notification may be displayed to theuser through the user interface 908. The notification may be an email tothe user, a notification popping up on a screen of the user device 900,or an audio notification to the user. The user device 900 may alsoprompt the user to authorize the delivery agent 100 to deliver theordered items beyond the movable barrier 120 of the multi-dwellingproperty 110. The user device 900 may optionally receive 1010 input froma user requesting an update be made to their account. The user mayprovide user input to the user interface 908 authorizing the deliveryagent 100 to operate the access control device 300 of the multi-dwellingproperty 110 and grant the delivery agent 100 access to themulti-dwelling property 110 for the purpose of making a delivery.

While there have been illustrated and described particular embodimentsof the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changesand modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it isintended for the present invention to cover all those changes andmodifications which fall within the scope of the appended claims. It isintended that the phrase “at least one of” as used herein be interpretedin the disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase “at least one of A andB” is intended to encompass only A, only B, or both A and B.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. An apparatus comprising: a memory configured tostore user account information; communication circuitry configured tocommunicate over a network; a processor in communication with the memoryand communication circuitry, the processor configured to: receive acommunication via the network that indicates controllability of anaccess control device by a client application associated with ane-commerce service, the access control device associated with a propertyand configured to selectively allow access to the property relative tointeraction with the client application; determine that the property isconstituted by dwellings beyond the access control device; identify,based on a reconciliation of addresses of the dwellings with informationof user accounts of the e-commerce service, at least one of thedwellings associated with the e-commerce service; and cause, relative tothe reconciliation, an update to at least one of the user accounts ofthe e-commerce service associated with the at least one of thedwellings, the update opting-in the at least one of the user accounts toa feature of the e-commerce service.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10wherein the feature includes an unattended delivery feature that permitsa delivery agent to use the client application to control the accesscontrol device and access the property to deliver an item purchased viathe at least one user account.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein theprocessor is further configured to: receive an access request from theclient application; and enable access to the property via the accesscontrol device relative to the access request.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein the access control device includes a movable barrieroperator configured to control operation of a movable barrier; andwherein to receive the communication includes receiving thecommunication from the movable barrier operator.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein to determine that the property is constituted bydwellings beyond the access control device includes: to receive propertyinformation from a data source; and to process the property informationto determine a hierarchy of the dwellings beyond the access controldevice.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the hierarchy isrepresentative of the dwellings being at least one of a gated community,a condominium, and an apartment building.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14wherein the property information is selected from the group consistingof map data, tax record data, and property record data; and wherein thedata source is selected from the group consisting of a geographicinformation system (GIS) server, a tax assessor server, and a title/deedserver.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the e-commerce serviceincludes an online marketplace.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10 whereinthe processor is configured to reconcile addresses of the dwellings withinformation of user accounts of the e-commerce service by comparingaddresses of the dwellings with delivery addresses of user accounts. 19.A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that,when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operationsincluding: receiving a communication that indicates controllability ofan access control device by a client application associated with ane-commerce service, the access control device associated with a propertyand configured to selectively allow access to the property relative tointeraction with the client application; determining that the propertyis constituted by dwellings beyond the access control device;identifying, based on a reconciliation of addresses of the dwellingswith information of user accounts of the e-commerce service, at leastone of the dwellings associated with an e-commerce service; and causingrelative to the reconciliation an update to at least one of the useraccounts associated with the at least one of the dwellings, the updateopting-in the at least one of the user accounts to a feature of thee-commerce service.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 19, wherein the feature includes an unattended delivery featurethat permits a delivery agent to use the client application to controlthe access control device and access the property to deliver an itempurchased via the at least one user account.
 21. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions includeinstructions that cause the computer to perform further operationsincluding: enabling access to the property via the access control devicerelative to receiving an access request from the client application. 22.The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein theaccess control device includes a movable barrier operator configured tocontrol operation of a movable barrier; and wherein the communicationreceived includes a communication from the movable barrier operator. 23.The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 whereindetermining that the property is constituted by dwellings beyond theaccess control device comprises: processing property informationreceived from a data source to determine a hierarchy of the dwellingsbeyond the access control device.
 24. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 23 wherein the hierarchy is representative ofthe dwellings being at least one of a gated community, a condominium,and an apartment building.
 25. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 23 wherein the property information is selected from thegroup consisting of map data, tax record data and property record data;and wherein the data source is selected from the group consisting of ageographic information system (GIS) server, a tax assessor server, and atitle/deed server.
 26. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 19 wherein the e-commerce service includes an electronicmarketplace.
 27. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19wherein the reconciliation of addresses of the dwellings withinformation of user accounts includes comparing addresses of thedwellings with delivery addresses of user accounts. 28-34. (canceled)